<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF  GENERAL CIGAR HOLDINGS, INC. INCLUDED
IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 28, 1998 AND ITS
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997, AND IS QUALFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001029456
<NAME> GENERAL CIGAR HOLDINGS, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-28-1998             NOV-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-28-1998             NOV-29-1997
<CASH>                                           3,985                   8,976
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   40,993                  52,294
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,327                   1,331
<INVENTORY>                                    157,862                 107,358
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               209,365                 176,076
<PP&E>                                         127,581                 113,041
<DEPRECIATION>                                  50,772                  45,552
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 359,303                 320,205
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           46,062                  42,947
<BONDS>                                         66,291                  47,540
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0                       0
<PREFERRED>                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                           276                     276
<OTHER-SE>                                     214,897                 197,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   359,303                 320,205
<SALES>                                        271,185                 262,833
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               271,185                 262,833
<CGS>                                          136,943                 134,837
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  136,943                 134,837
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 8,227                       0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   983                   1,372
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,390                   3,050
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 40,024                  57,669
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,209                  21,605
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,815                  36,064
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,815                  36,064
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.95                    1.33
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.92                    1.26
        

</TABLE>